Police Commissioner Winston James has confirmed to GRENADA TODAY that a major investigation has been launched into the disappearance of three kilos of cocaine which the lawmen apprehended just one week ago in an operation at the Point Salines International Airport (PSIA).

Informed sources told GRENADA TODAY that the illegal drugs have disappeared in mysterious circumstances from the Criminal Records Office (CRO) of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) located downstairs the old CID building on the lower deck of Fort George. "I am really saddened by this", said Commissioner James who assumed the top job less than a year ago.

However, he declined to give details except to say that he had asked the person assigned to carry out the investigation to do so "as soon as possible". The CRO facility where the cocaine vanished was one of the Police buildings severely damaged during the passage of hurricane Ivan over a year ago.

There are reports that although the building is being used by officers it is still without electricity. Police officials have also accused the hierarchy of the force of failing in their duties to provide adequate security at the CRO building given the number of important exhibits of pending court cases held there.

The official police statement said: "A major investigation is in progress into the unauthorized entry into an evidence exhibit storage room located at the Criminal Records Office in St. George's. The incident occurred between Friday 26th and Sunday 28th August 2005.

Acting Commissioner of Police Mr. Winston James ordered the full scale investigation, and has directed ACP Wilan Thompson to utilise all resources available to the Force to bring the matter to a speedy conclusion. The ACP responsible for Crime has ruled out no one in the investigation, including members of the Royal Grenada Police Force.

The investigation has revealed that items were taken from the storage area, but to avoid compromising the investigation and its progress; this release would not identify or list any of the items. As it relates to matters before the Courts this incident would not impact negatively on any pending matter. The Department's data and records systems remain intact.

The Acting Commissioner has since ordered the immediate relocation of all exhibits from the affected storage area, to a higher security storage depot. The R.G.P.F. seeks the assistance of the general public in bringing this matter to a conclusion.

Legal sources on the island are disputing the claim made by RGPF that the disappearance of the cocaine as exhibits would not seriously hamper the case brought against the suspect.

A well-placed city lawyer said he expected the defense to move for the matter to be thrown out of court once the police cannot produce the illegal drugs allegedly found on the accused person.